The Block Café in July 2018 with Peter Bainbridge Motors workshop and
parking area behind.

Photo NZ Herald

Motor mechanic Peter Bainbridge has had a long association with the Bay, and in his years
in business has a gained a reputation of giving great service to the local motorists. Peter
is retiring, and in July put the 1111 sq m site on the market, this property having a
Business – Local Centre Zoning, permitting a broad range of uses and a total building height
of 18 m, so some changes may well be coming into the Village.

Vic Cleave’s garage c.1960

The front building was originally a service station and garage, purpose built by local
resident, Vic Cleave, in the 1950s. The next proprietor was Harry Bainbridge in 1987, who
ten years later moved into the back workshop and the original garage became a hardware store
on 1st May, 1997. It was still a hardware store when it was converted in 2012 into what we
know today as The Block Café.

Harry’s son Peter took over the motor repair business, so the Bainbridge family has had a
long association with Mainstreet. We wish Peter a very happy retirement.

Published in the society newsletter August 2018.

Update December 2018.

New sign for workshop

TR Dec. 2018

The workshop is still in use and has been renamed to Bay Auto Repairs.